Fishermen continue nationwide strike as fresh fish supplies run low
Professional fishermen across Greece are continuing an open-ended strike over rising fuel costs and what they describe as insufficient government support, with participation reported as widespread in Dedeağaç (Alexandroupouli) and Samothrace.
The nationwide mobilisation began on October 1, with fishermen calling for measures to reduce operating costs and warning that protests could escalate unless the government takes concrete action.
The disruption is already affecting the wider market. Fishmongers in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace have reportedly closed their shops, both in solidarity with striking fishermen and because of shortages of locally caught fish.
FUEL COSTS AT THE CENTRE OF PROTESTS
Under the slogan “Save fishing,” fishermen are demanding immediate measures to address the sharp increase in fuel costs in recent months.
Their main demand is a subsidy for marine diesel, which they say is necessary to contain operating costs and protect the viability of professional fishing businesses. They are also calling for support measures comparable to those they say are available to fishermen in other European Union countries.
Fishermen's representatives have warned that without substantial government intervention, continuing their activities will become increasingly difficult.
Protests were also held in Thessaloniki and Piraeus on Sunday, with representatives reiterating that they would maintain their mobilisation until their main demands are addressed.
FISHMONGERS CLOSE AS SUPPLIES DWINDLE
The strike has triggered knock-on effects across the seafood market.
Many fishmongers in the Eastern Macedonia and Thrace region remained closed on Monday and Tuesday, October 6, citing both the lack of available catches and solidarity with local fishermen.
Fishermen's representatives say that, since the start of the nationwide strike, supplies of fresh Greek wild-caught fish have effectively been depleted at fish markets.
They claim that fish currently available to consumers largely comes from aquaculture or imports from neighbouring countries. Such claims about the origin of individual fish products could not be independently verified from the material available.
FISH MARKET BLOCKADE IN NEA MICHANIONA
Professional fishermen also blocked the fish market in Nea Michaniona, Thessaloniki, from late Sunday night.
According to fishermen's representatives, the blockade followed reports that a small number of traders had attempted to bring fish from Türkiye while Greek fishing fleets remained inactive.
Ioannis Maritsas, a board member of the Panhellenic Association of Medium Fishing Vessel Owners, said the fishermen had agreed with traders to keep the fish market closed during the mobilisation, but alleged that one or two traders had breached the agreement by bringing fish from Türkiye.
“We will not allow this,” Maritsas said, describing the move as unacceptable while Greek fishermen remain on strike.
He added that the blockade would remain in place for the duration of the mobilisation.
Images from the Nea Michaniona fish market reportedly showed empty fish pallets, illustrating the immediate impact of the strike on the supply chain.
The duration of the nationwide mobilisation remains dependent on the government's response to the fishermen's demands, while the disruption continues to put pressure on fresh-fish supplies across the country.
